Missouri to Have Legal Sports Betting from December 1, 2025

The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) has announced on its website that the state’s sports wagering market will officially launch on December 1, 2025.

Missouri Sets Date for Sports Betting Operations

According to the commission, Missouri’s newly introduced sports wagering legislation will take effect on August 30. This creates an interim period during which applications for the state’s sports betting market can be formally reviewed. During this time, the regulator will also have the authority to issue temporary licenses ahead of the market’s official launch in December.

Retail sports betting licenses will be priced at $250,000, while online licenses will cost $500,000. All 13 of Missouri’s existing retail casino locations, as well as the six professional sports teams based in the state, will be eligible to apply. Additionally, two more licenses will be available that are not designated for any specific in-state or out-of-state entity.

There are currently 14 online and 19 retail licenses available, and the deadline for submitting proposals is September 12, after which the vetting process is expected to take several months. The commission is committed to a thorough review process, with Chairman Jan Zimmerman emphasizing that rushing to issue licenses without proper investigation or clear regulations would not suffice, as it could lead to unqualified applicants receiving approval.

Missouri actually announced that it is accepting applications for sportsbooks last week. This decision comes after voters in the state elected to legalize sportsbooks late in 2024, with a vote that passed by a very slim margin. Initially, it was expected that sportsbook operators would launch by the beginning of summer. However, that did not become reality as there was more time needed for the establishment of a regulatory framework.

What Else Is Good to Know?

Most major sportsbook operators are expected to pursue entry into the Missouri market. Some already have a foothold through partnerships with professional sports teams in the state, such as the St. Louis Cardinals’ existing relationship with bet365.

It should be noted that the state already has a sizable gaming market as its regulated sector has recorded a revenue total of $169.1 million in April 2025, reflecting a 9% increase compared to the same month last year. There are currently no official projections on what Missouri would receive in terms of tax revenue once sports betting becomes legal in the state. However, considering the state’s tax rate for sports betting will be 10%, and the fact that large companies like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Rush Street, to name a few, might enter the market, Missouri could gain quite a lot from the new rules.